Photo Credit: PHL17.com
The Phillies love San Diego. The calm, beautiful city in Southern California, where the Padres make their home is Petco Park. It is the Phillies favorite city on the road to travel to. And no wonder why, they hold a 24-4 overall record at the park.
Cole Hamels loves San Diego. He was born and raised on the outskirts of the city and grew up rooting for the Padres. He feels comfortable there and it shows every time he takes the mound in San Diego. Going into last night’s game, he held a 3-1 record and a 1.79 ERA.
I turned on the game in the 6th inning (yes, right around midnight) and the Phillies were losing 1-0. Then the 7th happened. After 4 consecutive singles, the Phillies tied the game. Two batters later, Juan Pierre hit the 5th single of the inning that plated both Ty Wigginton and Freddy Galvis to take a 3-1 lead.
Click on the photo to see a video of the play.
The strangest event happened in the top of the 8th though. Shane Victorino was up to bat and a pitch came in on him and hit him. As Victorino was jogging to first base, the umpire called him back and said that he leaned into it. (The replay showed that he did a little bit. I know it’s a rule and all, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard that happening before.)
The next pitch was in the dirt at Victorino’s feet and he tried to sell it that he was hit. And he lost again. The very next pitch, Victorino took Andrew Cashner deep. I bet Cashner wishes that the ump just gave the HBP to Victorino earlier in the at-bat.
The Phillies win the 13 straight at Petco Park, the longest active streak by any visiting team. With Roy Halladay on the mound tonight, I don’t see the streak ending quite yet.
***Author’s note: I actually wrote this originally at 1:30 in the morning. Yeah, let’s just say this recap actually makes sense!***
Karilee Jeantet is Lead Contributor for A View From Section 116. Follow her on Twitter @kjeantet and @viewfromsec116 and e-mail her AViewFromSection116@gmail.com.
